Oil, gas jobs in demand

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Job seekers give top priority to oil, gas and petrochemical industries in addition to government service while women prefer banking and finance industry in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), according to a latest survey.

Oil, gas and petrochemicals offers the best potential for career growth according to the majority of respondents (44 per cent), with banking and finance coming second (26 per cent), according to the survey conducted by job site Bayt.com and research firm YouGov titled: "Top Industries in the Middle East and North Africa"

The highest levels of job security are seen to be in government positions (42 per cent), though there is also a perceived high degree of security in oil, gas and petrochemicals (40 per cent) and military, defense, police and security services (20 per cent).

Respondents believe that the most stressful industries are construction (30 per cent), banking and finance (23 per cent), advertising, media, PR, market research and publishing (16 per cent), and oil, gas and petrochemicals (16 per cent). Construction is also considered to have the longest working hours, by a third of respondents (32 per cent).

In the UAE, 44 per cent of employed respondents are satisfied with the salary package in their current industry, while 47 per cent are satisfied with their ability to maintain a good work-life balance. They are also generally content with the potential for career growth (with 37 per cent being satisfied); job security (46 per cent); working hours (56 per cent); and training and development opportunities (40 per cent). Fifty per cent are happy with their current work culture, which shows that UAE work environment is a happy one.

The best salary packages in the UAE are perceived to be in the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry (56 per cent); though government, civil services and utilities careers are also seen to pay well, according to 30 per cent. Government jobs are also seen as being the best for maintaining a good work-life balance (43 per cent), followed by oil, gas and petrochemicals (33 per cent) and banking and finance (24 per cent).

Suhail Masri, VP of Sales, Bayt.com, said: "It's easier than ever before to find jobs in different industries. On Bayt.com we currently have an average of 10,000 vacancies every day across industries, job roles, and career levels. Besides posting their CVs, Bayt.com professionals can now showcase their skills, merits and interests on the Bayt.com Specialties platform which supports a constant career dialogue and a wealth of opportunity to be recognised by potential employers, clients and peers in the industry. "

Women in the UAE are most attracted to banking and finance according to 34 per cent of respondents, followed by education and academia (34 per cent), and healthcare, medical services and pharmaceuticals (28 per cent). Local talent is seem to be drawn predominantly to government, civil service and utilities jobs (55 per cent), military, defense, police or security services (35 per cent), and oil, gas and petrochemicals (29 per cent).

A fifth of UAE respondents (19 per cent) have changed the industry they work in the last 24 months, with 57 per cent considering an industry change in the next few years. Oil, gas and petrochemicals is the industry of choice for 22 per cent, though government (12 per cent) and banking and finance (nine per cent) jobs are also popular.

Sundip Chahal, chief executive officer, YouGov, said: "Within the UAE, it is very clear which industry is the most preferable, though interestingly the majority of regional respondents are keen to find employment in the IT, electronics and telecommunications industry rather than in oil, gas and petrochemicals."

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